Arsenal have been handed a warning by Leyton Orient after FA Cup draw, says Arsene Wenger

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has welcomed "an exciting draw" after
his side were handed a possible FA Cup quarter-final trip to Manchester
United, but insists they are not taking anything for granted.

Hard-fought: Leyton Orient refused to bow to the might of ArsenalPhoto: REUTERS

Arsenal found out before Sunday's game with Leyton Orient that an Old Trafford date awaits the winners - still to be determined after substitute Jonathan Tehoue's late goal earned Orient an FA Cup replay.

Wenger said: "Somebody told me the draw as we came out before the game started.

"It is television now which basically dictates these kind of rules but that would not be an excuse for us to draw.

"Leyton Orient played a great game, but we could not finish them off.

"It is an interesting and an exciting draw. We will do what it takes to go through, but I had a good warning that the home game against Leyton Orient will be difficult."

With an already congested fixture list - which includes next Sunday's Carling Cup final against Birmingham at Wembley - the last thing Wenger will have wanted was a replay, which is set for March 2, just a week before they head out to Spain for the second leg of their Champions League last 16 clash.

"We have played the game with the right attitude and could not fault our fighting spirit, but you also have to give credit to Leyton Orient because they never gave up and fought very hard," Wenger said.

"As long as you do not score the second goal, that can happen.

"Overall it is a disappointment, but we are still in the competition and will now play at home.

"The most important thing is to go through. You had a match against a team which is technically superior, but fighting spirit has a chance.

"The most negative side of our result is one more fixture and in fairness that is not what we needed.

"We have had problems in the cups against teams from the lower divisions to finish them off, but also we have given a lot.

"Sometimes, mentally, a breather would not be bad.

"What people forget is that since the beginning of December, we have played every three days, so sometimes to have a week where we could give the players a little breather would not be bad."

However, Wenger did not begrudge Orient their big night at the Emirates.

He said: "It will make their budget for the season, if not more, and to scrap that off would be a blow to all the smaller clubs in England.

"They suffer already, so you would not have a lot of supporters to do that (scrap replays)."

Orient chairman Barry Hearn was simply relieved that the late equaliser left no time for Wenger to turn to substitutes Cesc Fabregas, Samir Nasri and Jack Wilshere.

"The best thing for us was that it was 1-0," Hearn said. "Arsene was not going to put any of his main line on the bench on because he is trying to nick it.

"He was trying to get away with these blokes having a little rest. If we equalise after 70 minutes, the floodgates open...he brings on Fabregas and the rest and we are all in trouble.

"He has got a little bit complacent, the old Frenchman, and the other Frenchman (Tehoue) put the boot in."